Pengaruh Paparan Akut Kromium Heksavalen Terhadap Potensi Hepatotoksisitas Pada Tikus Wistar Jantan

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a widely used industrial heavy metal with well documented toxic properties, yet evidence regarding its acute hepatotoxic effects remains limited. This study investigated the impact of acute oral Cr(VI) exposure on liver injury in male Wistar rats using serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as biochemical markers.A true experimental posttest-only control group design was applied. Thirty male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group receiving distilled water, a low-dose group administered chromium trioxide (CrO₃) at 1 mg/kg body weight, and a high-dose group administered CrO₃ at 5 mg/kg body weight. Treatments were given orally once daily for seven days. Serum AST and ALT levels were measured on day eight using an enzymatic kinetic method. Statistical analyses included Shapiro–Wilk and Levene’s tests, followed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc analysis. The results showed a dose-dependent elevation of both AST and ALT levels. Significant increases in AST and ALT were observed in the high-dose Cr(VI) group compared with the control group (p < 0.05), whereas the low-dose group did not show statistically significant changes. These findings suggest that acute high-dose Cr(VI) exposure compromises hepatocellular integrity, likely through oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms. In conclusion, acute oral exposure to hexavalent chromium induces significant hepatotoxicity at higher doses, as reflected by elevated serum AST and ALT levels. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the hepatotoxic potential of acute Cr(VI) exposure and underscores the importance of limiting short-term high dose exposure in environmental and occupational settings